Adorazione del bambino 1480

Francesco Botticini painted this panel depicting the Virgin Mary, probably in Florence, Italy, sometime in the late 15th century. As the title tells us, the Virgin is shown adoring her newborn son. Botticini worked in a world governed by powerful religious institutions and wealthy families, like the Medici, who dominated Florentine politics. We can ask how these social forces shaped the image. The Virgin’s youth and beauty, along with her modest demeanor, are typical of Renaissance depictions of Mary. Her fine garments, including the golden halo, speak to the wealth and power of those who commissioned such works. Botticini’s painting thus reinforces the values of his patrons. The image also speaks to the development of artistic institutions. Botticini’s workshop would have followed the prevailing conventions of painting at the time, while also attempting to develop new techniques and styles to attract wealthy clients. To truly understand this painting, we must look to these historical and cultural contexts, researching the social, religious, and economic forces that influenced Botticini and his patrons.